stepped right off the platform into an oncoming metro train at pentagon city station. >> he slipped off the track right in front of us. >> reporter: you can barely make out in this metro surveillance video the man falls down on the tracks. >> he's laying right on the rail. on his face. >> reporter: the crowd gathers around on the platform to see what happens next would save the man's life. >> i got down on my hands and knees. my daughter got down on her hands and knees. i reached down. i said give me your hand. i don't know the train was coming. i just grabbed his hand and yanked him up. my daughter grabbed his leg. we rolled him on to the platform. >> reporter: the quick thinking and mere seconds prevented a tragedy and according to the pair, it was pure instinct. >> i think the guy's alive because we didn't think. we didn't hesitate. as soon as we fell, we were both on our knees by the edge of the tracks pulling him up. >> reporter: it started with a man distracted but ended with a focus of one main goal. >> when i reached down. >> and we pulled him up. >> reporter: the man they h